Participation from Western Thrace in the 'International Turkish Diaspora Symposium in the Century of Türkiye'

Western Thrace
Wed, 16 Oct 2024 9:19 GMT
On October 16, 2024, the First International Turkish Diaspora Symposium in the Century of Türkiye was held at Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University, in collaboration with the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB).
Participation from Western Thrace in the 'International Turkish Diaspora Symposium in the Century of Türkiye'

Representatives from Western Thrace, including Xanthi Mufti Mustafa Trampa, lawyer Funda Sadık Ahmet (daughter of the late leader of Western Thrace Turks, Dr. Sadık Ahmet), and SEÇEK Association President Necmettin Kahya, participated in the symposium.

The symposium brought together bureaucrats, business leaders, artists, athletes, academics, and writers representing the Turkish diaspora. Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz attended via video conference.

During his address, Yılmaz highlighted that over 7 million Turkish citizens have taken root in the countries where they reside, representing Türkiye with their contributions and maintaining solidarity with their homeland. He emphasized the importance of the Turkish diaspora’s role in preserving their cultural identity, staying connected with Türkiye, and advocating for their rights in the countries they reside in.

Yılmaz also touched upon the significance of supporting Turkish communities abroad, stating that the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) provides aid in language education and cultural awareness while working to empower them within their host countries. He also stressed the need for coordinated international efforts to combat discrimination, Islamophobia, and Turkophobia, which are growing concerns, especially in Western countries.

Funda Sadık Ahmet, daughter of the late Dr. Sadık Ahmet, spoke at the symposium, expressing the honor and emotional significance of attending an event held in a hall named after her father. She emphasized her father’s lifelong struggle for the identity of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace and the importance of continuing this fight. She highlighted how Greece officially denies the ethnic identity of Turks in Western Thrace, only recognizing them as a "Muslim Minority," a policy that continues despite numerous rulings by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) condemning Greece's actions.

Sadık Ahmet stressed that the Treaty of Lausanne, an essential agreement for the protection of minority rights, remains a critical document in safeguarding the rights of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace, and Greece’s continued violation of these rights not only breaches basic freedoms but also undermines the treaty's principles.

In her closing remarks, she raised concerns about education, pointing out that the number of Turkish minority schools is insufficient, and Turkish language education is restricted. These limitations, she said, threaten the cultural identity and future of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace.

Xanthi Mufti Mustafa Trampa also addressed the symposium, focusing on the ongoing issues faced by the Turkish minority, particularly the mufti issue. He shared his thoughts on social media, saying, "I had the opportunity to participate as a speaker in the panel held within the framework of the International Turkish Diaspora Symposium and raised the key issues facing the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace."

The symposium served as a platform to discuss the challenges faced by Turkish communities abroad, including those in Western Thrace, and to explore solutions for preserving their cultural identity and ensuring their rights are protected.

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